Electric treater for emulsions



June 30, 1959 c. WATERMAN ET AL 2,892,768

ELECTRIC TREATER FOR EMULSIONS Filed July 28, 1955 /ff r United States Patent C ELECTRIC TREATER FOR EMULSIONS Logan C. Waterman and William L. Shirley, Houston, Tex., assignors to Petrolite Corporation, Wilmington, Del., a corporation of Delaware Application July 28, 1955, Serial No. 524,914

21 Claims. (Cl. 204-304) This invention relates to electric resolution of emulsions and more particularly to the resolution of oil-continuous emulsions by the use of one or more high voltage electric fields.

In the electric treatment of emulsions, particularly in the treatment of petroleum distillates containing an electrically-separable dispersed phase, it is often necessary to connect the equipment directly on stream with other equipment. This means that failures must be eliminated or minimized if the complete process is to continue. Heretofore, one source of trouble has been through failure of electrical insulators supporting or energizing the electrodes. If repairs, replacement or inspection thereof were necessary, it was previously required to shut down the treater, drain and steam out the vessel, and then inspect, repair or replace the insulator. This procedure usually involved many valuable hours of operating time.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a structure which facilitates insulator inspection, repair or replacement and which, in fact, permits the replacement of an insulator without draining and, if desired, without unpressuring the container, thereby saving much shut-down time and avoiding the necessity of steaming out the Vessel.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a simplified insulation system for high-voltage -treaters by which movement of an electrode-energizing member can be made to seal oil' an insulator pocket.

In the interest of superior performance and savings in space, cost, heat, etc., it is often desirable to employ multiple treatment using separate electrode sets in the same vessel, usually with connections whereby the oil to be treated can flow sequentially through the electrode sets. It has previously been proposed to mount these sets in separate superimposed chambers, but this has heretofore required that at least some of the insulation for the lower electrode set must be in an inaccessible position near the upper end of the lower treating chamber. It is an object of the present invention to provide a structure by which all of the insulators of a multistage treater can be positioned in close proximity and in accessible positions.

Another object of the invention is to provide a multistage treater in which the electrode set orpelectrode means in the lower treating chamber is energized by a member supported by an insulator near the uppermost end of the treater; also to provide an arrangement whereby such energizing member is disposed in .a relatively long entrapment space traversing the upper treating chamber but separated therefrom. A further object is to provide such an entrapment space within a pipe opening on the lower treating chamber and extending between a partition and `a head member bounding the upper treating chamber.

Quite unexpected problems have arisen from insulator failures, particularly when treating certain distillates or petroleum fractions containing internal phase material ICC which is highly corrosive or which tends to form shortcircuiting deposits on insulator surfaces. In some instances, the oil puried by the electric treatment can be permitted to come into contact with the insulator surfaces. ln other instances, however, it has been found necessary to use -a separate dielectric medium contacting the insulators and to provide physical separation between the dielectric medium and the treated oil.

It is an object of the present invention to provide novel insulator-protective arrangements by which the oil being treated can be physically separated from any dielectric uid used to protect the insulators. A further Objectis to mount an insulator with end portions respectively exposed to upper and lower chambers containing dielectric media, and to transfer pressure between these media. A further object is to transfer such pressure through a movable member, such as a bladder, which physically separates the dielectric media.

In some instances it has been found practical to separate a dielectric fluid from the treater contents by the use of a body of gas. It is an object of the invention to provide such a system. In other instances, however, it has been found that contaminants sometimes pass through interfaces and even through such an intervening body of gas. ln such instances, it is an object of the present invention to separate such iluids by a movable member such as a bladder.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from the hereinillustrated embodiment of the invention as applied to a multiple-stage treater particularly adapted to the treatment of like petroleum emulsions containing small amounts of dispersed phase material which must be separated therefrom.

Referring particularly to the drawing:

Fig. l is a vertical sectional view through a multistag treater of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged view of the right-hand insulator housing of Fig. l; and

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

The electric treater is shown as including a container structure 9 including an upright cylindrical container 10 closed at its upper and lower ends by heads 11 and 12 to form a pressure vessel. The interior thereof is divided by a partition 14 into upper and lower treating Zones or chambers 15 and 16 respectively containing upper and lower electrode means or electrode sets 177 and 18.

The upper electrode set 17 includes a lower electrode formed of a plurality of concentric cylindrical electrodes 20, usually made of sheet metal, secured to a framework 21 mounted on brackets 22 and thereby electrically connected to the container 10. The upper electrode of the set 17 is composed of similar concentric cylindrical metallic electrodes 23 supported by a framework 24 which is in turn suspended from the insulation system of the invention, to be described. The electrodes 20 and 23 are intermeshed to provide a plurality of open-ended treating spaces 25 in which are established high volatge unidirectional electric fields of substantially uniform voltage gradient.

The emulsion or petroleum product to be treated is pumped by a pump 27 into the upper treating chamber 15 through an influent means shown as including a pipe 2.8 communicating with an annular manifold 29 from which radiates a plurality of sidewardly-perforated pipes 30. The perforations are preferably closer together toward the container 10 to distribute the incoming liquid in such manner that a column thereof Hows upwardly in the upper treating chamber 15 with substantially equal velocity at all radial positions. This rising stream is Y 3 Y v`pierced by `the-lower edges of the electrodes 20 and 23, being thereby divided into small streams flowing through the treating spaces 25 at substantially uniform velocity, the individual streamscombining above the electrodes 'and 'rising to an appropriate eiliuent means. This efuent -'meansis shown as including a plurality of perforated pipes '32 radiating from an annular manifold 33 .and supported "by brackets 34, the perforations again being closer together toward the container to facilitate the desired columnar 'flow of liquid in the upper treating chamber VY1'5. The treated oil collected in the manifold 33 discharges through a pipe 35 having a back-pressure valve 36. -It is often desirable to process the treated oil additionally byiiowing it, with or without repressuring, from the pipe 35 through piping, `indicated by the dotted line `V37, vto a -mixer 38 connected to a pipe V39 of an influent means for the lower treating chamber 16. It is -often idesirable to mix another liquid with the treated oil ahead kof -the mixer 38. A pump 40 is shown in this connection and pumps a stream of water or other liquid to a junction 41 preparatory to further mixing in the mixer 38.

The resulting mixture is further electrically treated in the lower treating chamber 16 by the electrode set 18. The electrodes of this set may take numerous forms but are shown constructed similarly to the electrodes of the upper set 17, in which event it Vis desirable that the in- Lcoming mixture be conveyed from the pipe 39 through a Iradial-pipe distributor including perforated pipes 43 sirnilar to the pipes 30 previously described.

The electrodes set is shown as including an upper electrode composed of concentric cylindrical electrodes 45 'secured to a framework 46 supported by brackets 47 and thereby grounded to 'the container 10. The -lower or live electrode of this set includes a plurality of concentric cylindrical electrodes 4S cooperating with the electrodes 45 and defining open-ended treating spaces 49. The electrodes 48 are connected to a framework 50 resting on a support 51 which is energized and supported by an electrode-energizing member or conducting member 53 extended to the top of the container 10, being thereby supported by an insulating means of the invention, as will be described.

The treated oil rising from the lower electrode set 18 enters an effluent means composed of perforated pipes 54 which conduct the oil to an annular manifold 55 vwhich surrounds and -is spaced from the member 53. Such a collection system for the treated oil is suspended lby brackets 56 from the partition 14. The treated oil leaves the container 10 through a pipe 57 equipped with "f a back-pressure valve 58 which controls the pressure in ythe lower treating chamber 16.

The electric elds established by the electrode sets 17 'and -18 coalesce the dispersed phase material into droplets 4,of suflicient'size to gravitate from the oily material being treated. The coalesced masses settle to the bottom of the respective chambers 15 and 16 and are respectively with- 'drawn through eflluent pipes 59l and 50, equipped with jback-pressure valves or with suitable control valves, not `shown, known in the art.

-It is very desirable that the electrode-energizing conducting member 53 for the lower electrode set 18 should (extend upwardly through the upper treating chamber while being isolated from the upper electrode set and the Aliquid in this chamber. To accomplish this, the conducting member 53 extends upward in an entrapment space provided by a relatively large tube or pipe 66 open at its lower end to the upper interior of the lower treating chamber 16. The lower end of the pipe 66 is secured within an opening 67 of the partition 14, the upper end of this pipe extending through a similar opening in the upper head 11. These pipe ends are preferably welded respectively to the partition and to the upper head, ,form- Ving anA annular treating chamber which .is completely sealed from vthe lower treating chamber 16-except through the external piping previously described. On the other Vhand, the `upper end -of the pipe 66 is completely closed during operation of the treater, as will be described. The treated oil from the lower chamber 16 is in open communication with the entrapment space 65 and will rise therein to ll at least the lower portion thereof. A small vent pipe 68 may communicate between the upper interior of the lower chamber 16 and the entrapment space 65 to prevent-formation of any pocket of gas in the former.

The pipe 66 not only rigidies the structure but also can be used to Vcenter or support the influent and efluent means of the upper treating chamber 15. In this latter connection, the manifolds 29 and 33 provide central openings, through which the pipe 66 extends. It is usually desirable, however, to support the pipes 30 and 32 by brackets, as shown. .t

The framework 24 of the upper electrode structure of the electrode set 17 is supported at a plurality of peripheral positions by three conducting members 75, two

of which are shown in Fig. 1. The container structure 9 includes a corresponding plurality of tubular housings 76. With exception to be noted, each of these 4housings is constructed identically with parts arranged as best shown in Fig. 2. Each housing is in open communication with the upper interior of the upper treating chamber 15 through an opening 77. As shown, each housing is individually supported by and detachably connected lto a flanged neck member 78.

As some intermediate portion, each housing 76 provides an internal flange 79 supporting an intermediate portion of an insulator 80. The interior of the housing 76 provides an insulator zone composed of upper and lower zones 81 and 82, the'in'sulator 80 providing upper and lower portions vrespectively yextending into these zones. Each insulator supports one of the members 75. The upper end of each tubular housing 76 includes a lremovable cover member 84 providing a flange 85 connected by `bolts 86 to a flange 87 of the tubular housing 76.

Each of the members 75 is preferably a rod connected to the upper electrode of the set 17 to move therewith or to control the position thereof. Means is provided for moving this rod between two positions, such a position-adjusting means preferably engaging both the insulavtor 80 and the rod.

Each rod or member 75 carries a valve member 90 which closes the opening 77 when the member 75 is in its lower position and which is raised from this opening when such member is in its upper position. In this connection, the lower portion of each tubular housing preferably provides an annular valve seat 91 against which the valve member may seat in fluid-tight relationship to seal the lower zone 82 from the interior of the upper treating chamber 15. The valve member 90 is preferably adjustably positioned on the member 75, as by being equipped with a neck 93 threaded thereto. An annular sealing member 94 is held against a vlower radial face of the valve member 90 by a tapered retaining member 95 which tends to center the member 75 as it is lowered, thus serving as a guide means to insure that the exposed peripheral portion of the sealing member 94 will properly engage the seat 91.

If desired, each member 75 can be secured to its supporting insulator 80 to be vertically adjusted by movement of such insulator. lIt is preferable, however, to provide for relative movement therebetween and to anchor the intermediate portion of the insulator to the internal ange 79 by a flange 96 secured to the insulator and detachably connected by screws 97 to the internal ilange. In such instance, the insulator 80 provides a central passage 100 through which the member 75 adjustably extends. The upper end of the insulator carries a supporting member or plate 101 through which slidably extends `a threaded upper portion .of the .member 75. -A nut 102 ,surrounds this threaded portion and imposes the weight of the electrode on the plate 1. The nut 102 to the plate 101 by bolts 104. This connection should provide for electrical contact between the hood 103 and the plate 101.

Means is provided for supplying a high electrical potential to the member 75 to energize the upper electrode of the set 17. Such energization is preferably from a high voltage source and it will be found that particularly beneficial results will be obtainable with the electrodes shown if the high voltage source is unidirectional. To connect such source to the upper electrode of the set 17, one of the cover members 84 is vertically elongated to provide a bushing chamber 105 forming a part of the upper zone 81. A high voltage bushing 106 extends into the chamber 105. It provides a conductor 107 the upper end of which is within or connected to a high voltage cable 108 (Fig. 1) extending to the high voltage source, the lower end 109 of the conductor forming a slip lit with the hood 103. The bushing 106 provides a flange 110 detachably connected to the top of the cover member 84. Only one of the housings 76 thus far described need be equipped with a bushing .106. The remaining housings provide domed cover members 111 (Fig. l) which merely close the upper zone 81 but which are removably connected to the housing by the bolts 86 previously described.

It will be observed that each of the lower zones 82 is normally in open communication with the upper treating chamber 15. In some instances, the immediatelyadjacent treated oil can be permitted to rise in contact with the lower portion of the insulator 80. In other instances, however, the treated oil contains contaminants which will form conductive paths along the surface of the insulator if permitted to come in contact therewith, such paths often causing electrical flashover. In some instances, it is desirable that the lower zone 82 be filled with a dielectric fluid other than the treated oil, preferably a gas such as air, nitrogen, helium, carbon dioxide, etc. It `is also desirable that the pressures in the upper and lower zones 81 and 82 be maintained substantially equal.

To accomplish these results, the upper end of each lower zone 82 provides a pipe 115 connected toa manifold 116. The later is connected by a pipe 117 to a pressure-transfer means 118 which in turn is connected to a manifold 119 from which pipes 120 lead to the respective upper ends of the upper zones 81 thus far described. The elements 115-120 comprise an inverted generally U-shaped piping connected between the lower and upper zones and having an enlarged section, provided by the pressure transfer means 118, having upper and lower ends communicating respectively with such upper and lower zones. Such enlarged section preferably includes pressurally-contacting bodies of the fluids contained in the upper and lower zones 81 and 82, although one of the liquid bodies may in some instances be a third fluid in pressure-transferring relationship to one of the fluids in these zones. As illustrated, the upper zones 81 are filled with a dielectric liquid, typically a transformer oil, by use of a funnel 122 connected by a valve 123` to the manifold 119.

The pressure transfer means 118 is shown as including a flexible pressure-transfer member 124 in the form of a bladder or bellows preferably formed of a material such as neoprene. This member may have its edges clamped between flanges of the closed housing forming the pressure transfer means 118. The space below the member 124 may be completely filled with the dielectric liquid in the manifold 119 or there may be a compressed body of air or other gas separating such dielectric liquid from the member 124 or some portion thereof. In the embodiment under consideration, the space immediately above the member 124 is filled with the same gas as 'fills the lower zone 82. In this connection, nitrogen or other compressed gas may be supplied from a pressure container 126 to the manifold 116 through a normallyclosed valve 127. This gas fills the pipe 115 and displaces any liquid in the lower zone 82 to a level below the insulator 80, this level being indicated by a level gauge 128 connected as shown. Such gas thus maintains the treated oil at a level below the insulator 80. At the lower end of each housing 76 is a drain pipe closed by a valve 129 by which the pressure in the lower zone 82 can be relieved or its contents drained.

The member 124 substantially equalizes the pressures in the manifolds 116 and 119, thereby substantially equalning the pressures in the upper and lower zones 81 and 82. Correspondingly, there is no large pressure difference therebetween to cause displacement of the dielectric oil into the lower zone 82 or gas into the upper zone 81. Further, and importantly in many installations, the member 124 forms a positive barrier preventing transfer of contaminants from one dielectric fluid to another. lt has been found that certain contaminants may be diffused through interfaces or through columns of liquid or gas, these contaminants collecting on the surface of the insulator and causing failure. By interposing a physical barrier to such transfer of contaminants, insulator failures can be avoided.

lf it becomes necessary to inspect, repair or replace any of the bushings 80, this can be accomplished rapidly and without unpressuring the container 10 as follows.

A valve 130 in the corresponding pipe 120 is closed t0 isolate the upper chamber 81 from the manifold 119. This upper zone is then drained by opening a valve 131 in a drain line 132 connected to the lower end of the upper zone S1. The bolts 86 are removed, whereupon the cover member 84 can be removed bodily, the lower end 109 of the conductor being by this movement separated from the hood 103. The hood 103 can now be removed by loosening the bolts 104, thus exposing the nut 102. Retracting this nut will lower the member 75, bringing the sealing member 94 into sealing engagement with the seat 91, thus sealing oif the lower zone 82. The valve member at this time supports the corresponding electrode, so that the nut 102 can be completely removed. The lower zone S2 can then be drained by opening the valve 129. Loosening the screws 97 permits complete removal of the insulator 80. The upper and lower zones can be steamed out, if desired, before inserting a new or repaired insulator. The lower zone 82 can be flushed with gas from the manifold 116 whereupon closing of the valve 129 will repressure the lower zone 82. The electrode can now be raised and the valve member 90 unseated by adjusting the nut 102, after which the hood 103 and the cover member 84 can be attached. Opening of the valve will repressure the upper zone 81, which previously may have been filled with the dielectric liquid before or after the cover member 84 is secured in place. The whole operation can be performed in a matter of minutes and avoids the previous necessity of unpressuring the vessel and steaming it out each time an insulator was to be inspected.

If desired, the container 10 can be unpressured and disconnected from on-stream operation when a bushing is to be changed or inspected. In this instance, the internal pressure can be made atmospheric and the upper zone 81 vented and drained. The cover member 84 can then be removed as before, whereupon the electrode can be lowered and the lower zone 82 sealed from the contents of the treater by seating of the valve member 90. Any oil in the lower zone 82 can then be drained and any explosive vapors therein exhausted by aspiration or displaced by gas from the pressure vessel 126.

The housing 76 and the insulators 80 thus far described are arranged around the vertical axis of the container and serve to support the upper annular electrode of the electrode set 17. A single insulator serves to energize and support the lower electrode vof the set 18 .in the lower treating chamber-7.16. A central tubular .housing 176 is internally connected to :the entrapment space 65 and is `supported by the .container above the pipe66 `in a manner vpreviously described. An insulator 180 forms upper :and lower'zones 181 and V182 within the housing 176, the `.zone-181being closed by a cover member 184. The lmember75exten`ds through the insulator 180 and carries a valve member 190 functioning as previously described. .The Vupper. end of the member 75 is threadedly connected to a supporting nut like Ythe nut 102 previously described and` is .energized =through a bushing 266 having Tahigh-voltage conductor 208 extending to the same or fa diierent high voltage source which energizes the electrode .set 17.

As before, Lthe pressure Vin the upper and lower zones 181 and 182 is substantially equalized through an inverted 1U piping, including arhousing or enlargement 21S in the `leg ycommunicating with the upper zone 181. This upper :zone contains a body of dielectric liquid which exlends `to a -level` 219 in theenlargement 218 where it contacts a body of ygas trapped in the other leg, here in- 'ldicated -by the numeral 220, and in the upper part of .the lenlargement v218. The leg 22) is preferably a pipe -having an internal ydiameter smaller than the diameter of the enlargement 218, typically a diameter of one inch orsomewhat more. There is-another air-oil interface in athis leg `between vthe Yentrapped gas and the treated oil from the lower treating chamber Y16. However, the area lof 'this interface is substantially smaller than the interface at the level 219 within the enlargement 218 whereby absorption of trapped gas into the oil in the interface twithin .the leg 220 is held to a minimum and whereby :the larea Vavailable for transfer of contaminants from the #treated oil to the gas is minimized.

.Asconcerns the insulator 180, it is usually possible to maintain continuous energization of the lower electrode set 1-8 1even if the treated oil from the lower treating chamber16 directly contacts the lower portion of the insulator. This is -due in part to the quiescent condition fin the entrapment space 65 and to electric eld therein .between therconducting member 53 and the pipe 66, both factors tending to .purify any treated oil in the lower zone 182'of the housing 176.

Ther .lower treating chamber 16 may be initially led with'an'oilsimilarto the treated oil that will be later discharged :through the valve 58, albeit of greater purity .if desired. As this oil rises in the lower chamber 16, it fdisplaces air into the lower end of the pipe 66, the air being vented through a valve 222. When the level reaches .the lower end of the pipe 66, any air thereafter entrapped Vbelow the dished partition 14 will be vented through the gpipe'68 to thepipe 66, thereby avoiding gas accumulation in the upper interior of the lower treating chamber 16.

The oil can be forced 'into the treating chamber 16 .untilxit fillsy the lower zone 132 around the insulator 1% or the Voil supply can 'bestopped short of complete filling :ofthe zonev 182. In either instance, when the treater is irought 'up to "pressure and Yoperating temperature, the liquid may rise in the leg 220 to compress the air enrtrapped' therein and from the gas-liquid interface previously described. If'it is desired to increase the volume lof the entrapped gas, additional gas can be supplied under 'pressure through a valve 224 communicating with the upper interior 'of the enlargement 218.

`@In a `typicalxoperation of the equipment, an alkalitreated ,distillate may be forced by the pump 27 through .thezdistributor pipes 30 to rise as an annular column 'and lateriasindividual streams through the treating spaces '25'ofrthe upper electrode set 17. Much of the dispersed material will be coa'lescedby the unidirectional electric .ieldswithin these treating spaces, which elds may be of a le'sc'ed material* gralvi'tatn'g tothe lower end ofthe treatsing chamber -andlbeinglconlinuously or intermittently lected Yby 'the pipes 31.2 .andaows .through the piping heretofore described-to .the `lower treating chamberl with or `withoutintermediate pressuring. A smallamount of water may be pumped into the `treated oil by the pump `40 and mixed therewith in the mixer-38 .if it is desired further to wash the treated oil from the upper chamber. The mixture rises through the treating spaces of the electrode set .18, the water and collected material vbeing coalesced, the coalesced material gravitating to vthe -botvtom of .the lower chamber 16 to be withdrawn continuously Vor intermittently through .the pipe 60. 'The resulting treated or puriiied koil is collected by the :pipes 54 and discharges through the valve 58 as a continuous stream. The entire equipment can thus be maintained on stream with refinery equipment.

Various changes can be made without de partingffrom the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

We claim as our invention:

1. In an electric emulsion treater adapted .to Abe .energized from a high-voltage source, the combination of: Va container providing an electrode zone therein; a vertically movable electrode in said zone; a housing above said container; a removable closure for said housing, said housing providing an insulator zone communicating at its lowermostV end with said electrode zone through an opening but-.otherwise completely closed, said insulator zone being adapted to entrap therein a body of dielectric iluid; an insulator in said insulator zone entirely within said housing and having a ,portion exposed .to be surrounded by .said entrapped dielectric Viluid; a .rod supported by said insulator and depending through said opening, said rod being connected in supporting relation with said electrode to move in unison therewith; means for moving said rod between two positions; and a valve member carried by said rod and movable therewith, Vsaid valve member being sized to close said opening in one of said positions of said rod and open said opening in the other of said positions of said rod.

2. An electric treater as defined in claim 1 in which said means for moving said rod includes position-adjusting means engaging both said insulator and said rod for lowering said rod to said one of said positions, said opening being surrounded bya seat member coacting with said valve member, one of said members providing -a sealingmember seating against the other of said members lin pressure sealing relationship when said rod is -in said one of said positions.

3. An electric treater as defined in claim l .including means for anchoring said insulator in said insulator `zone, a high-voltage bushing extending into said insulator zone coaxially with said insulator, said bushing providing .a conductor extending therethrough adapted to be connected to `said'high-voltage source, and including a slip connection fordetachably connecting said conductor and said rod.

4. An electr-ic treater as defined in claim 1 in which said `removable closure includes a cover member for said housing and vmeans for detachably connecting said cover member to said housing, said electric treater including means for anchoring said insulator in said insulator zone, a high-voltage bushing extending through said cover member, a conductor extending through said bushing, said conductor providing an outer portion adapted to be connected to said high-'voltage source and an inner portion, and a slip connection detachably connecting .said inner portion to said rod and separable therefrom upon .removal of said cover member.

5. In an electric emulsion treater adapted to be energized from a high-voltage source, the combination of: a container providing an electrode zone therein; an -elec- ,ti-ode rin said zone; a housing extending upwardly from 'said container and providing upper and lower zones, vsaid lower. zone openly icommunicating with ,said electrode withdrawn'ithroughlrthe pipe :59. -The treated .oil .is coll75 -zone through. an openingyan Ainsulator havinganfintermediate portion between upper and lower portions thereof; partition means separating said upper and lower zones and engaging said intermediate portion formounting said insulator in said housing with said upper and lower portions respectively exposed to `said upper and lower zones; means connecting said insulator and said electrode through said opening; and means for equalizing the fluid pressures in said upper and lower zones comprising a piping communicating between said upper and lower zones, said piping including an enlarged section with upper and lower ends respectively connected to said upper and lower zones, said enlarged section including pressurally contacting bodies of fluids respectively in pressural communication with said upper and lower zones.

6. In an electric emulsion treater adapted to be energized from a high-voltage source, the combination of: a container providing an electrode zone therein; an electrode in said zone; a housing extending upwardly from said container and providing upper and lower zones, said lower zone communicating with said electrode zone through an opening; an insulator having an intermediate portion between upper and lower portions; partition means engaging said intermediate portion for mounting said insulator in said housing with said upper and lower portions respectively exposed to said upper and lower zones, said last-named means separating said upper and lower zones; means connecting said insulator and electrode through said opening; and means for equalizing the fluid pressures in said upper and lower zones, said pressure-equalizing means including piping between such zones, said piping including an enlarged section, and a movable pressure-transfer member transversely dividing such enlarged section into upper and lower chambers respectively in open communication through said piping with said upper and lower zones, said movable pressuretransfer member being movable in response to differences in pressure on opposite sides thereof and being impervious to the passage of contaminants from either of said zones to the other.

7. An electric treater as defined in claim 6 in which said pressure-transfer member is a flexible bladder separating said upper and lower chambers. Y

8. An electric treater as defined in claim in which said piping has an inverted generally U-shaped portion having legs respectively communicating with said upper and lower zones, said enlarged section being in one of said legs.

9. An electric treater as defined in claim 8 including a body of dielectric liquid in said upper zone and extending into said enlarged chamber to be in interfacial contact with a body of gas therein, said body of gas extending into the other of said legs and being therein in interfacial contact with a body of liquid from said electrode zone, whereby said body of gas separates said liquids.

10. In an electric emulsion treater adapted to be energized from a high-voltage source, the combination of: an upright container closed at its upper and lower ends by upper and lower heads; a partition dividing the interior of said container into upper and lower treating chambers, said partition having an opening; an upright pipe connected rigidly and in huid-tight relationship to said partition with its interior communicating openly with said lower treating chamber through said opening, said pipe extending completely through said upper treating chamber and providing an upper end connected rigidly and in fluid-tight relationship to said upper head, said pipe forming within said upper treating chamber an annular treating chamber between such pipe and said container; a housing communicating interiorally with the upperinterior of said pipe; an insulator in said housing; an electrode energizing member suspended from s'aid insulator and extending through said pipe into said lower treating chamber; electrode means in said lower treating 10. chamber electrically connected to said electrode energizing member; and means for connecting said electrode energizing member to said high-voltage source.

11. An electric treater as defined in claim l0 including annular electrode means in said annular treating chamber, a plurality of electrode Lsupports connected to said annular electrode means at spaced peripheral positions, auxiliary insulators respectively connected to said supports, and means for energizing said annular electrode means.

l2. An electric treater as defined in claim 1l including a plurality of other housings above said upper head and means for respectively supporting said auxiliary insulators within said other housings, said means for energizing said annular electrode means including a conductor connected to at least one of said electrode supports.

13. In an electric emulsion treater adapted to be energized from a high-voltage source, the combination of: an upright container closed at its upper and lower ends by upper and lower heads; a partition dividing the interior of said container into upper and lower treating chambers, said partition and said upper head having aligned openings; a pipe joining said openings and secured in fluidtight relationship to said partition and said upper head, said pipe providing an entrapment space open at its lower end on said lower treating chamber; a high-Voltage conductor traversing said entrapment space and extending into said lower treating chamber; electrode means in said lower treating chamber electrically connected to said high-voltage conductor; an annular electrode means surrounding said pipe in said upper treating chamber; and means in the space between said pipe and the container for energizing said annular electrode means.

14. An electric emulsion treater as defined in claim 13 including an inuent means for each of said treating chambers and an eflluent means for each of said treating chambers, means for supplying a stream of the emulsion to be treated to one of said influent means for treatment by the electrode means in the corresponding chamber to produce a treated oil moving from the corresponding eliluent means, and means for connecting such eflluent means to the other influent means for further treatment of such oil in the other chamber, the other eluent means withdrawing such further treated oil from such other chamber.

15. In an electric emulsion treater adapted to be energized from a high-voltage source, the combination of: a container providing an electrode zone; a housing providing an entrapment zone communicating with the upper portion of said electrode zone through an opening at the lower end of the housing, said entrapment zone being much smaller in horizontal cross-sectional area than said electrode zone; electrode means in said electrode zone; an electrode-supporting conducting member extending from said electrode zone to said entrapment zone through said opening, said conducting member being electrically connected to said electrode means; an insulator in said entrapment zone supporting said conducting member; means for energizing said electrode from said high-voltage source; means for delivering the emulsion to be treated to said electrode zone, the treated emulsion separating in said electrode zone into upper and lower phases; means for withdrawing the lower phase from a lower portion of said electrode zone; withdrawal means for withdrawing the upper phase from an upper portion of said electrode zone at a position spaced from said opening; a removable closure for said entrapment zone giving access to said insulator; and means permitting inspectingsaid insulator without draining and steaming said container comprising a valve member on said conducting member at a position to close said opening upon movement of said conducting member and its connected electrode means to a predetermined position and means for moving said conducting member between said predetermined positiom and. another position in which said. valvemember opens-said opening.

16. In an electric emulsion treater adapted to be energized from a high-voltage source, the combination` of: a container providing an electrode zone, said container having a top wall; a closed-top housing defining an entrapment zone adapted to receive and entrap a body of dielectric fluid; a tubular fitting mounting said housing above said top wall, the interior of said tubular fitting interconnecting said entrapment zone and said electrode zone, there being an annular valve seat adjacent one end ofsaid tubular fitting around an axis thereof; an insulator in said entrapment zone; an emulsion-treating electrode in-said electrode zone; means for vertically moving said electrode through alocus of motion between two positions, said last-named means including a rod connected toand extending upward from said electrode through said valve seat into said entrapment zone along said-axis of said tubular tting and means for adjusting the vertical position of said rod, said insulator supporting said rod and at least a part of the weight of said electrode, at least a portion of said insulator being exposed to and surrounded by said body of dielectric fluid; and a valve member larger than said annular valve seat carried by said rod in a position to engage said valve seat at one of said electrode positions and thereby block the communication between said entrapment zone and said electrode zone.

17. In an electric emulsion treater adapted to be energized from a high-voltage source of potential, the combination of a container providing an electrode zone closed at its upper end by a wall of said container; an upright tubular housing attached to said container wall, the interior of said housing having a horizontal crosssectional area much smaller than said electrode zone, said housing providing at its lower end an opening; an inwardly-extending flange at a position intermediate the upper and lower ends of said upright tubular housing; a tubular insulator having an intermediate portion supported by said flange, said insulator and said iiange dividing the interior of said housing into an upper Zone and a lower entrapment zone, upper and lower portions of said insulator extending respectively into said zones, said lower entrapment zone Icommunicating with said electrode zone through said opening and being adapted to receive and entrap a body of dielectric fluid; a closure for said upper zone and means for removably attaching same to said housing, removal of said closure giving access to said insulator; an'electrode in said electrode zone; an annular valve seat carried by said housing in a position surrounding said opening; a rod extending upward from said electrode through said valve seat and through said tubular insulator; means for raising and lowering said rod and said electrode relative to said tubular insulator; a valve member carried by said rod and movable therewith from a position sealing said electrode zone from said entrapment zone to a position in which such zones are in open communication; means for delivering to said electrode zone the emulsion to be treated; means for electrically energizing said electrode from said highvoltage source of potential to establish an emulsion-treating electric iield adjacent said electrode, said cld resolving said emulsion into heavier and lighter phasematerials separating in said electrode zone; means for withdrawing from said electrode zone said heavier phase material; and means for withdrawing from said electrode zone at a position spaced from said opening said lighterphasc material.

18. An electric treater as deiined in claim 17 includingv means accessible from said upper zone for detachably connecting said intermediate portion of said insulator to said flange. Y

1"9-. InV an electric emulsion treaterhavinga container, electrodemeans in an electrode zone of the container adapted. to. resolve an emulsion delivered thereto, asmall housingproviding an entrapment zone open at its lower endV toy said electrode zone adapted to entrap a body of dielectric fluid therein, an insulator in said entrapment zone and protected from contact with the material in the electrode zone by said body of dielectric iluid, and a rod supported Vby said insulator connected to said electrode means, a structure for inspecting and replacing said insulator without draining and steaming said container, said structure comprising: a detachable closure for the upper interior of said entrapment zone giving access to said insulator from a position outside said container; anda valve structure for said open lower end of said entrapment zone forV sealing same from said electrode zone, said valve structure comprising an annular valve seat carried by said housing at the lower open end of said entrapment zone through which valve seat said rod extends, a valve member attached to said rod of a size to engage said valve seat in Huid-tight relationship, and means for vertically moving said rod through a locus of motion sui'cient to seat and unseat said valve member.

20. An electric emulsion treater as deiined in claim 19 in which said annular valve seat faces upwardly and in which said valve member provides a lower surface tapering inwardly and downwardly engageable with said valve seat to center the valve member during its downward seating on said valve seat, said electrode means being supported through said rod by such seating of said valve member on said valve seat.

2l. In an electric emulsion treater adapted to be energized from a high-voltage source of potential, the combination of: a container providing an electrode zone, said container providing a top wall closing said electrode zone; a plurality of tublllar housings attached to said top wall, eachhousing having a lower portion communicating with said electrode zone through an opening; a framework and a plurality of electrode members supported thereby and electrically connected thereto; means for adjustably supporting said framework and said electrodes in said electrode zone, said last-named means comprising a plurality of conducting members connected to said framework and respectively extending upwardly through said openings into the interiors of the respective tubular housings, an insulator in the interior of each housing supporting the respective conducting member, and means for separately adjusting the vertical position of each conducting member; a valve seat provided by each housing adjacent its said openings; a valve member carried by each of said conducting members in the interior of the corresponding housing in a position to seat against said valve seat and close the adjacent opening and support a portion of the weight of the framework upon lowering of the corresponding conducting member; means for electrically connecting said electrode framework to said high-voltage source of potential; and iniiuentv and eiuent means respectively delivering emulsion to and withdrawing separated emulsion constituents from said electrode zone, said ei'lluent means including means for withdrawing an emulsion constituent from the upper end of said electrode zone at a position spaced from cach of' said openings of said housings.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS France Nov. 18,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent No. 2,892,768 June SO, 1959 Logan C. Waterman et al.

It is hereb7 certified that error appears in the-printed specification of the above numbered patent requiring correction and that the said Letters Patent should read as corrected below.

Column 3, line 58, for "59 and 50" read m- 59 and 60 n; colunm A, line 29, for "As some" read At some W; column '7, line 44, for "filed" read wfilled Signed and sealed this lst day of December 3.959.,

(SEAL) Attest:

KARL I-I.. AXLINE Attesting Officer ROBERT C. WATSON Commissioner of Patents 

1. IN AN ELECTRIC EMULSION TREATER ADAPTED TO BE ENERGIZED FROM A HIGH-VOLTAGE, THE COMBINATION OF: TICALLY MOVABLE ELECTRODE IN SAID ZONE; A HOUSING ABOVEE SAID CONTAINER; A REMOVABLE CLOSURE FOR SAID HOUSING, SAID HOUSING PROVIDING AN INSULTOR ZONE COMMUNICATING AT ITS LOWERMOST END WITH SAID ELECTRODE ZONE THROUGH AN OPENING BUT OTHERWISE COMPLETELY CLOSED, SAID INSULATOR ZONE BEING ADAPTED TO ENTRAP THEREIN A BODY OF DIELECTRIC FLUID; AN INSULATOR IN SAID INSULATOR ZONE ENTIRELY WITHIN SAID HOUSING AND HAVING A PORTION EXPOSED TO BE SURROUNDED BY SAID ENTRAPPED DIELECTRIC FLUID; A ROD SUPPORTED BY SAID INSULATOR AND DEPENDING THROUGH SAID OPENING, SAID ROD BEING CONNECTED IN SUPPORTING RELATION WITH SAID ELECTRODE TO MOVE IN UNISON THEREWITH; MEANS FOR MOVING SAID ROD BETWEEN TWO POSITIONS; AND A VALVE MEMBER CARRIED BY SAID ROD AND MOVABLE THEREWITH, SAID VALVE MEMBER BEING SIZED TO CLOSE SAID OPENING IN ONE OF SAID POSITIONS OF SAID ROD AND OPEN SAID OPENING IN THE OTHER OF SAID POSITIONS OF SAID ROD. 